Thoughts on Big East TV deal

By John F. Silver | Feb 18, 2013 | 6:31PM

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Commissioner Mike Aresco speaks at Rentschler Field in Connecticut in September. The Big East will soon have a new television deal. /Associated Press.

The Big East television rights deal is going to be completed sometime in the next week, and according to Sports Business Journal, the Big East stands to have a deal for between $20-23 million dollars for football and basketball. The Big East, also according to SBJ, is negotiating with CBS for select games to the tune of $2-$4 million per year. That will bring the total deal to around $24-27 million and bet each school about $2 million per team.

Now, that money is low, so low that it makes UConn non-competitive with its regional rivals, it has to have a pay off on the other side.

Here's what the Big East is thinking and it appears it is at least trying to make some lemonade out of lemons.

Mark Blaudschon, former Boston Globe writer now blogging at ajerseyguy.com, with his thoughts on the deal and why ESPN likely won't match it.

But the issue is not entirely about the money. ESPN can easily match or better NBC’s financial offer.

The sticking points are the other parts of the deal. Promotion, time slots, prime time exposure on the main network. All have value. All are part of the overall plan that Big East commissioner Mike Aresco and NBC have worked out.

NBC can give Big East football a Thursday night Game of the Week–EVERY week.

Can ESPN do that?

The Big East is just trying to get on TV and get exposure. The money is a pittance, it really is, but what the Big East - -which claims it is going to keep the league name -- wants more than anything is exposure and credibility. NBC Sports desperately needs content and they have attractive time slots in primetime on NBC as well as NBC Sports. If UConn and Temple are Top 25 in hoops, I think we would then see that game maybe on CBS.

Big East commish Mike Aresco has a kind of poison pill in the contract that makes it impossible for ESPN to match the deal, even with the money being so low. Naturally, ESPN has a right to match, but are they really going to put this Big East in primetime? Of course not.

So, as was explained to me, would the Big East rather be No. 1 on NBC -- which has national distribution and is working to get its sports channel next to ESPN on the dial? Or be No. 6 on ESPN?

The Big East, if it has an attractive game, could easily have that go on NBC sports following Notre Dame on a Saturday, or if the Irish on in another game, even at 3:30 p.m. An example would be the Tennessee vs. UConn game that is scheduled for 2015 at Rentschler. A Thursday night game, which helped save the Big East after the first ACC raid, will also be on tap and that's a lot of exposure for the league.

Let's look at this in a realistic sense. The No. 1 hope is UConn gets gobbled up by the expansion moving parts. That UConn is even in this position with its fundamentals actually defies logic, so as when former men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun says he thinks the Huskies won't be in this position, it's because logic would say the Huskies are the next to go (actually, they should have went before many of the others).

Now, short-term, the Huskies paramount need in the TV deal is to actually get on TV on good times. They is what the school needs. Long-term? It won't be able to complete with what's called the Power 5. Over the long term, a poor TV deal will chip away at the competitive aspects between Rutgers, Syracuse, Louisville, Boston College and UConn. As of right now, and the near future? The advantage isn't gained just yet.

STORRS, Conn. -- Ten of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's 11 national championship campaigns included winning at least a share of its league's regular season title.

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Geno Auriemma discusses the most overused terms in coaching

Feb 16 | 7:27PM

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Geno on the most overused terms00:08:07

UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma discusses what he believes the most overused terms are while coaching basketball.

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On the Clock: Geno and Justine

Feb 16 | 5:40PM

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On the Clock: Geno and Justine00:02:09

SNY's Justine Ward chats with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma about offbeat happenings in the world of sports.

SNY's Justine Ward chats with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma about offbeat happenings in the world of sports.

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UConn lose 73-71 to Tulsa; Vital scores 20 points

Feb 15 | 9:50PM

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UConn's Christian Vital had a solid day earning himself a double-double, but the Huskies fell to Tulsa, 73-71, on Thursday night.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Sterling Taplin scored a career-high 30 points and Tulsa beat UConn 73-71, sweeping the season series from the Huskies.

Junior Etou had 15 points and DaQuan Jefferies added 14 for Tulsa (15-10, 8-5), which extended its winning streak to four on Thursday night.

Christian Vital had 13 of his 20 points in the first half for UConn (12-14, 5-8) when the Huskies built up a 12-point lead. The Huskies, who have lost five of their last six, led 40-31 at intermission.

Samuelson, UConn hold off Louisville

Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Katie Lou Samuelson reacts after a play against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at Gampel Pavilion. (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

STORRS, Conn. -- Whether Katie Lou Samuelson can make a stretch run towards becoming the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's next national Player of the Year while dealing with her injured left ankle remains to be seen.

But it's hard to find many players around the country who are playing better than the Huskies' All-American guard is right now.

Samuelson gave UConn 40 minutes Monday night and scored 26 points as the top-ranked Huskies topped No. 4 Louisville before an announced sellout crowd of 10,167 at Gampel Pavilion.

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No. 1 UConn wins 25th straight with victory over No. 4 Louisville

Feb 12 | 8:59PM

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The UConn women's basketball team defeated Louisville, 69-58, on Monday night to improve to 25-0 on the season.

Katie Lou Samuelson scored 26 points and top-ranked UConn used an early run to beat No. 4 Louisville 69-58 on Monday night.

Napheesa Collier added 14 points and Gabby Williams had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Huskies (25-0), who won their 76th consecutive home game and ended Louisville's 13-game road winning streak.

Louisville (25-2) scored the first three points and UConn rattled of 19 straight.

Dailey to be inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Connecticut Huskies associate coach Chris Dailey reacts during Senior Day before the start of the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Gampel Pavilion. (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

STORRS, Conn. -- The Geno Auriemma-coached 2000 United States U-18 national team was scrimmaging at Colorado College when Duke University-bound Alana Beard finished a stunning drive to the basket.

Auriemma blew his whistle and turned to where his assistant at the University of Connecticut, Chris Dailey, and Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt and her assistant, Mickie DeMoss, were seated in the small gym. They were watching as Team USA's roster included UConn-bound Diana Taurasi and Ashley Battle, and Tennessee-bound Ashley Robinson and Loree Moore.

He then looked over to Summitt and said: "Chris Dailey and Mickie DeMoss should be fired for not recruiting Alana Beard." Summitt nodded her head in agreement. They didn't get fired, though DeMoss did move on to other jobs. But this June they'll be together again in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Dailey, the Huskies' associate head coach, is one of seven people who will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2018, it was announced Monday night. She will be the fifth UConn representative in the WBHOF joining Auriemma (Class of 2006) and former players Rebecca Lobo (Class of 2010), Jennifer Rizzotti (Class of 2013) and Kara Wolters (Class of 2017).

UConn, Louisville renew acquaintances

Feb 4, 2018; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Jeff Walz reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports (Rich Barnes)

For nine seasons, they faced off in February, March, or even April.

But when Louisville left the American Athletic Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2014, its women's basketball rivalry with the University of Connecticut that saw the teams play 16 times -- including two national championship games and three league tournament finals -- in those nine seasons went with it.

UConn beat Wichita State 124-43, two points shy of program points record,

Feb 10 | 3:30PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Napheesa Collier scored 26 points and Katie Lou Samuelson added 22 points to lead UConn to a 124-43 rout of Wichita State on Saturday in the first meeting between the two programs.

The 124 points was two shy of the program record, which was set against Providence in 1998.

Gabby Williams added 17 points, Azura Stevens 16 and Kia Nurse 14 for the Huskies (24-0, 12-0 American), who won their 75th straight home game, the third longest home winning streak in NCAA history.

In order to beat the University of Connecticut women's basketball team, you have to play them. Central Florida gets to do it as a member of the American Athletic Conference.

"Every time we play them, I think our team understands them more," UCF second-year coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said following the Knights' 55-37 loss to the Huskies at CFE Arena in Orlando Wednesday night.

AAC newcomer Wichita State will get its first experience against No. 1 UConn Saturdaywhen the Huskies open a three-game homestand against the Shockers at the XL Center in Hartford (SNY, 1 p.m.). UConn has won 86 consecutive games against first-time opponents dating back to a loss to Georgia at Gampel Pavilion on Jan. 15, 1996.

Travel-weary Huskies ready for home cooking

Gary Apple and Kara Wolters break down the highlights from the UConn women's basketball team's 55-37 win over UCF on Wednesday night.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Katie Lou Samuelson passes up 80-degree weather about as often as she passes up an open 3-point shot.

But the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's junior All-American and resident California girl was content to trade a warm winter night here for a wintry day in New England if it meant not getting on another plane for almost two weeks.

The top-ranked Huskies wrapped up another trip Wednesday night as Samuelson had 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a 55-37 American Athletic Conference win over Central Florida before an announced pro-UConn crowd of 6,155 at CFE Arena. They then headed home where winter and the first three-game homestand of the season awaits.

Huskies ride Williams' winning ways

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Gabby Williams has a unique way of filling a stat sheet, but has never been concerned about her numbers.

The All-American senior forward does make one exception and that's for the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's win total. She has been part of 134 of them heading into Wednesday's American Athletic Conference contest against Central Florida at CFE Arena (SNY, 7 p.m.).

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On the Clock with Geno and Justine

Feb 6 | 5:00PM

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On the Clock w/ Geno and Justine00:02:06

SNY's Justine Ward chats with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma about the off-beat things going on in the world of sports.

SNY's Justine Ward chats with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma about the off-beat things going on in the world of sports.

Huskies' offense thrives at the pass

Connecticut Huskies guard Kia Nurse reacts after her basket against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at XL Center. (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

HARTFORD, Conn. -- For the first time in program history, the University of Connecticut women's basketball team began a season with four 1,000-point scorers.

They didn't do it on their own.

Seniors Kia Nurse and Gabby Williams and juniors Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson have combined for 5,736 points as Huskies. The foursome tacked on 79 to their total Sunday as No. 1 UConn rolled past Cincinnati 106-65 in American Athletic Conference action before 12,342 at XL Center. They also combined for 23 of the Huskies' 32 assists. Williams reached the 400-assist plateau Sunday, three days after Nurse got there against South Carolina.

UConn handily defeats Cincinnati, 106-65

Feb 4 | 4:24PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Napheesa Collier says she's proud of the fact that UConn never plays down to the level of its opposition.

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Huskies looking for another growth spurt

By Carl Adamec | Feb 3 | 5:36PM

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Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Napheesa Collier reacts with guard Gabby Williams after a play against the UCF Knights in the second half of the semifinals during the women's AAC Conference Tournament at Mohegun Sun Arena. (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

Katie Lou Samuelson made her first and only shot, a layup, when the University of Connecticut women's basketball team beat South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena her freshman year.

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UConn stays close with no. 8 Cincinnati, loses, 65-57

Feb 3 | 2:30PM

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UConn men's basketball saw great performances from Jalen Adams and Christian Vital, but the Huskies fell short against Cincinnati.

You can count one of the program's former rival coaches among those thinking Cincinnati can be a real factor come NCAA Tournament time.

"I think they've got an outstanding team that could get to the Final Four depending on who they play, the health, and if they bring their 'A' game," former Xavier coach and current CBS Sports Network radio analyst Pete Gillen told the Cincinnati Enquirer this week.

"You need a player that can make a big shot down the stretch," Gillen said. "I think Jacob Evans can do that. Gary Clark can do that. Usually those last games tend to be low-scoring. Coaches get a little conservative. You need guys that can put it on the deck and create. That, and great defense. Defense travels on the road and in your tournaments."

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Nurse's layup line not that easy

By Carl Adamec | Feb 2 | 11:00PM

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(Jonathan Dyer)

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- There are times that Kia Nurse makes 3-point shots look like layups.

But how the senior guard looks on layups has UConn coach Geno Auriemma wanting to pull some of his hair out.

"Kia explodes to the basket but the ball comes off her hand like at her palm," Auriemma said Thursday night. "I'm like, 'You're on the (Canadian) Olympic team and that's how you shoot layups?' "

Huskies have no problems with South Carolina

By Carl Adamec | Feb 1 | 10:55PM

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Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Napheesa Collier reacts with guard Gabby Williams after a play against the UCF Knights in the second half of the semifinals during the women's AAC Conference Tournament at Mohegun Sun Arena. (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

Having played here two years ago as a sophomore, the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's senior All-American was confident she and her fellow upperclassmen with experience here could handle anything reigning national champion South Carolina and a sellout crowd of 18,000 could throw at them.

The Huskies opened things up early to lead 53-24 at the half on their way to a 21-0 start for the fourth time in five seasons. They extended their NCAA mark with their 48th straight road win and, if anyone needed more evidence, marked themselves the clear favorite for another NCAA title.

No. 7 South Carolina (18-4) fell to 0-6 all-time against UConn and 0-15 in program history against No. 1 teams.

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No. 1 UConn challenges national champion South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- On Jan. 3, 1998, the University of Connecticut women's basketball team was welcomed by 24,597 orange-clad fans to Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. The 84-69 loss to Tennessee marks the only time in program history the Huskies have played the reigning national champion on the road.

That will change.

A crowd of 18,000 is expected here Thursday night as 2017 national champion and No. 7 South Carolina entertains top-ranked UConn for a non-league showdown at Colonial Life Arena.

Megan Walker had the best seven-day stretch of her young career with the University of Connecticut women's basketball team and she was rewarded for it on Monday.

Walker was named the American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Week for the first time. In league wins over Memphis and Tulane she averaged 11.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Her week-long surge actually began on Jan. 21 when she had a season-high 22 points to go with six rebounds and five assists over 32 minutes in a 113-57 win at Temple. She then had 10 points and six rebounds in the 93-36 victory at Memphis last Wednesday. Then on Saturday against Tulane at Gampel Pavilion, she had 13 points and two assists in a 98-45 triumph...

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UConn blown out on the road by Temple

Jan 28 | 10:20PM

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The UConn men's basketball team continued their struggles Sunday night, falling to Temple, 85-57.

Huskies earn high marks off the court

Connecticut Huskies guard Kia Nurse after the game against the Memphis Lady Tigers at Elma Roane Field House. (Justin Ford/USA TODAY Sports)

STORRS, Conn. -- The University of Connecticut women's basketball team shot a near-school record 72.2 percent from the floor Saturday in its 98-45 American Athletic Conference win over Tulane at Gampel Pavilion.

But the Huskies were even better when it came to being represented Thursday at "3.0 night" during halftime of the UConn-SMU men's game. Nine players on the 12-player roster (75 percent) were among the 361 student-athletes honored by UConn's Division of Athletics.

STORRS, Conn. (AP) Katie Lou Samuelson scored 15 of her 19 points in the first half to lead UConn to a 98-45 rout of Tulane on Saturday and a 20-0 start to the season for the 11th time in program history.

Kia Nurse scored 14 for the Huskies (9-0 American Athletic Conference) and tied a career high with seven rebounds.

UConn had six players in double figures for the sixth time this season.

UConn confirms NCAA investigation of men's basketball program

Jan 26 | 8:13AM

Connecticut Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie yells towards his players during the second half of the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at the Reynolds Center. (Brett Rojo/USA TODAY Sports)

The University of Connecticut confirms it is the target of an NCAA investigation into its men's basketball program.

University President Susan Herbst, in a statement released Friday morning, says the school is committed to "a culture of compliance" and intends to fully cooperate with the investigation in a "thorough and transparent manner."

UConn (19-0, 8-0 American Athletic Conference) trailed only briefly in the opening minutes before beating Memphis for the ninth time overall and second time this season.

The Huskies routed Memphis 97-49 when the Tigers visited Dec. 31. The venue changed, but not the final result with UConn winning in a more smothering fashion despite coach Geno Auriemma pulling all but one starter in the third quarter. The Huskies held Memphis to fewer points in each of the first three quarters.

Dangerfield, Huskies head to Memphis

The opening minute of the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's game at Temple Sunday seemed more like the 41st minute of Thursday's game against Tulsa as the Owls scored the first six points.

PHILADELPHIA -- Megan Walker was in the middle of the action Sunday after a talk with her coach Geno Auriemma Saturday.

The University of Connecticut women's basketball team's freshman wing had season highs of 22 points and five assists along with six rebounds in a season high 32 minutes Sunday as the top-ranked Huskies ripped Temple 113-57 in American Athletic Conference action at McGonigle Hall.

"Talking with coach was really important," Walker said. "We talked about expecting more from ourselves, and how we needed to be more engaged. We needed someone to step up and rebound and hit more shots." With Katie Lou Samuelson out (left ankle) and Gabby Williams (hip) and Crystal Dangerfield (shin splints) less than 100 percent, Walker was first off the bench and got the call from Auriemma midway through the first quarter.

The University of Connecticut women's basketball team's senior forward is dealing with a hip issue ("It's called a psoas," Williams said. "It leads to the hip flexor and it's enflamed and swollen.") at a tough time. The Huskies were coming off a rough outing with Tulsa on Thursday night and Williams aggravated the injury when she blocked a shot by the Golden Hurricane's Rebecca Lescay with 1:02 left. She walked to the bench in pain.

But that's the kind of thing she'll be dealing with the next two months as her college career winds down. As tough as she has to be physically, she must be as tough mentally.

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Nurse, Walker fuel UConn in 113-57 win over Temple

Jan 21 | 3:14PM

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GEICO SportsNite: UConn00:00:59

UConn defeated Temple on Sunday, 113-57, to move to 18-0 on the season. Megan Walker and Crystal Dangerfield discussed the big victory.

STORRS, Conn. -- Katie Lou Samuelson and Gabby Williams made it clear following the University of Connecticut women's basketball team's win at Texas Monday that the Huskies need their reserves to step up and lengthen the rotation.

Injuries to the All-American pair Thursday night may leave the bench players no choice. Samuelson re-injured her left ankle in the third quarter of the top-ranked Huskies' 78-60 American Athletic Conference win over Tulsa at Gampel Pavilion. Williams, meanwhile, appeared to aggravate a hip injury in the fourth quarter.

"We have been banged up but that's not an excuse for us at all," UConn All-American Napheesa Collier said. "When a player goes down, you're supposed to respond by playing harder and doing better. We're not doing that."